Category Archives: Punjab

MANN GOVT ALL SET TO DEAL WITH ANY FLOOD LIKE SITUATION: LALJIT SINGH BHULLAR

IEP CHANDIGARH

Following the whirl-wind tour of Punjab Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann to flood-affected areas of the state, the State & District level Livestock flood control rooms have already been set up for the well-being and care of livestock in face of any probable flood like situation.

          Divulging further, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said the state level livestock flood control room number 0172-2217083 is operational seven days a week from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Joint Director Animal Husbandry (Development & Planning) is deputed to directly monitor state control room.

          Similarly, district level livestock control rooms are being monitored by the concerned Deputy Director (Animal Husbandry). He said that the deputy commissioners and concerned administrative officers of all the districts were instructed to sensitise the general public at large scale about the district level livestock control room number besides keeping eagle-eye on every situation related to possible flood.

          The Cabinet Minister said that Joint Director, North Regional Disease Prevention Laboratory (NRDDL) Jalandhar can be contacted on control room number 0181-2242335 in case of spread of any disease in livestock.

          During the meeting, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar asked Principal Secretary Mr. Vikas Pratap and Director Dr. Subhash Chander to speed up the HS vaccination drive initiated by the department to protect the cattle from the Heamorrhagic Septicaemia (Gal-Ghotu) disease.

          Principal Secretary Mr. Vikas Pratap apprised the Cabinet Minister that deputy directors at district offices have already formed Tehsil Level Teams headed by Senior Veterinary Officer and arranged necessary medicines in Tehsil level hospitals. They have also been asked to procure required medicines immediately from Veterinary Medical Store Jalandhar so as to prevent any kind of shortage in emergency. Availability of fodder for the animals in the flood prone areas has been identified so that adequate fodder can be provided to the animals during any untoward situation. Apart from this, government vehicles/mobile forces have been kept on toe to deal with any flood like situation and the employees and officials were asked not to leave the headquarters without prior approval of the higher authorities. Likewise, the district officials have been directed to coordinate with the head office immediately in any exigency, he said, adding that officials of the department are continuously coordinating with Nishkam Seva Samitis/NGOs and Social organizations to keep them ready to work voluntarily in tandem with department, in case of any probable floods.

BIG RELIEF FOR STATE RESIDENTS, PUNJAB EMPOWERS MUNICIPAL COMMISSIONERS AND ADCs FOR ISSUANCE OF CLU & APPROVAL OF COLONY LAYOUT

IEP CHANDIGARH

Giving a big relief to the people of the state, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government has empowered all Municipal Corporation Commissioners and Additional Deputy Commissioners at the district level for the purpose of Change of Land Use (CLU) and issuing approvals to develop colonies.

          Divulging further, Local Government Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said, the process of CLU and Building Plans have been simplified to ensure that no illegal/unauthorized colonies are allowed to develop besides ensuring to ease the process & delivery of service at District Level.

          The Cabinet Minister said that the Commissioner of Municipal Corporations and ADCs have been notified as Competent Authorities for the purpose of CLU and for issuing Licence to Develop a Colony.

He also clarified that the CLUs and Layouts would be cleared by Municipal Commissioners and ADCs. Similarly, Building Plans would be cleared by Municipal Commissioners in case of Municipal Corporations and EOs in case of Municipal Councils/Nagar Panchayats/Improvement Trusts. He said that a notification in this regard has also been issued. This step will not only facilitate the people but also help in to bolster the economic development trajectory of the state and create new horizons in this regard, he added.

          Mr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that Mann government was committed to provide ultra-modern facilities to the people and working constantly towards strengthening cities’ infrastructure to provide better facilities to the residents. He said that the concerned urban local bodies have also been instructed to ensure clearance of pending cases within a week.

          Instructing officials to ensure that no illegal colony should come up in their respective jurisdiction, Local Government Minister also urged to public at large to desist from investing their life time savings in illegal colonies.

          Directing to strengthen public grievance redressal system, he said that the Municipal Commissioners and the Additional Deputy Commissioners will lend the ear to the complaints of the citizens on one dedicated day in a week, preferably on Thursday from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. And on that fixed day, they will organize Public grievance camp along with all the officers in the area under their jurisdiction to resolve the problems of the people. No office visit or meeting will be held on this day, he added.

STRICT INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED

Meanwhile, Local Government Minister Dr.  Inderbir Singh Nijjar, while presiding over the meeting of the officials, directed to ensure quality in all infrastructure projects and timely execution of ongoing works.

          The Minister said that public participation should be encouraged for cleanliness in urban areas and cleaning of public toilets and parks besides preparing the schedule for fogging during monsoon. Nodal officers for fogging should be appointed in each urban body, said the Minister, adding that a new policy should be implemented to reduce open waste dumps/waste points in cities. He also asked to organize ward wise camps well before exemption period i.e. September 30 to increase the collection of property.

CM BATS FOR UNIFIED ACTION BY STATES TO END NARCO-GANGSTER-TERRORIST NEXUS

IEP CHANDIGARH

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday advocated unified action by states to curb the narco-gangster-terrorist nexus.

          In his address during a conference on drug trafficking and national security chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Chief Minister said that it is the high time that all the states must act in unison with each other to combat this menace. He unequivocally said that the states should not indulge in credit war but focus on eliminating the gangsters, drug smugglers and terrorists. Bhagwant Mann said that a foolproof strategy should be evolved by the states and it should be implemented flawlessly to get the desired results.

          The Chief Minister described this nexus as a major threat to the security, sovereignty and integrity of the country. He said that this nexus needs to be eliminated at the earliest for safeguarding the interests of our coming generations. Bhagwant Mann said that it is the high time that all the states must sink their differences and act sternly against the nexus.

The Chief Minister also offered fulsome support and cooperation to the Union government for setting up a Forensic laboratory in the state. He said that despite of being a border state with huge threat of smuggling of drugs, weapons and others from the other side of barbed wire, Punjab does not have any such laboratory to check drugs. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government will leave no stone unturned for setting up this laboratory.

ON CM’S DIRECTION, PUNJAB GOVERNMENT RELEASES RS. 100 CRORE TO SUGARCANE FARMERS

IEP CHANDIGARH

 In consonance with the firm commitment of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to ensure well being of the farmers, the state government today deposited Rs 100 crore in the accounts of sugarcane farmers.

          Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that on the directions of the Chief Minister the funds were transferred by Sugarfed in accounts of sugarcane cultivators on Saturday. The due amount to be

paid to the sugarcane farmers by Sugarfed now stands atRs.195.60 crores. Out of this Rs. 100 crore will be paid by August 31 this year and the remaining Rs.95.60 cores will be cleared by September 15.

          After this, there will be no pending payment left with the Government owned nine Sugar Mills at  Ajnala, Batala, Budhewal, Bhogpur, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Morinda , Nakodar and Nawanshahr. Pertinently, with the payment of this Rs. 100.00 crore the Government has already paid Rs.424.02 crores to the sugarcane farmers out of total pending sugarcane payment of Rs.619.62 crores. These payments are related to the season 2021-22.

          The spokesperson further said that Bhagwant Mann Government is making sincere efforts to ensure that pending payments to the farmers is made with before upcoming sugarcane season of 2022-23 without any inordinate delay.

SPEAKER SANDHWAN CONGRATULATES WEIGHTLIFTER MIRABAI CHANU ON WINNING GOLD MEDAL AT COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2022 IN BIRMINGHAM

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 31, 2022

Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Sunday has congratulated weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, on winning India’s first Gold medal at Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham.

            Olympics silver medalist Chanu has won the gold medal with a Commonwealth Games record by lifting a total of 201 kg in the 49 kg weight category.

            Issuing a statement here, Speaker said that it is a matter of great pride for the country and the medal win by Chanu proves that girls are now playing a leading role in every field.

            Speaker Sandhwan has also congratulated Chanu’s assistant coach Sandeep Kumar who is serving in the Punjab Police and currently posted at the Centre Sports at PAP in Jalandhar. He himself has participated in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games as a weightlifter and won a bronze medal in the 69 kg weight category at the 1998 Kuala Lampur Commonwealth Games.

            Earlier, Speaker also congratulated Punjab wrestler Jaspuran Singh, who won a bronze medal in the Under-17 World Wrestling Championship in Rome (Italy).

While congratulating the young player, Speaker said that not only Singh but his parents and Indian team coach Inderjit Singh also deserve appreciation for this big achievement at a young age.

MANN GOVERNMENT WILL INSTALL SOLAR POWER PLANTS IN ALL MANDIS ACROSS THE STATE, SAYS KULDEEP DHALIWAL

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 27, 2022

Following the directions of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Mandi Board will install solar power plants in all the mandis to provide affordable electricity across the state.

This has been disclosed by the Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, while chairing a meeting with the senior officials of the department at the head office here.

Dhaliwal ordered the concerned officials to start the work of installing solar power plants in all grain and vegetable markets at once in the state.

The officials present on this occasion said that the under a pilot project, net metering roof top solar power plant in four mandis are being installed and such solar power plants will be installed in 23 mandis.

The Minister of Agriculture said that a project report should be prepared for all grain and vegetable markets for setting up net monitoring solar power plants so that the people can be provided with affordable electricity. He directed to install sheds on which solar panels could be installed easily.

On this occasion, considering issue of lack of cleanliness in the vegetable markets, which led to obnoxious smell, the Minister directed officials to ensure the cleanliness of the vegetable markets on daily basis.

            The Agriculture Minister also issued instructions to take action to strengthen the link roads and make them 18 feet wide under the Mandi Board. Along with this, he said that the damaged link roads should be repaired immediately.

Taking an important decision, Kuldeep Dhaliwal asked the officials of the Mandi Board to submit a report as soon as possible to bring the vacant land of the focal point into use.

On this occasion, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister of Punjab and Secretary of Mandi Board Ravi Bhagat among other senior officials were present.

NO COMPROMISE ON DAMAGING ENVIRONMENT, VIOLATORS WILL BE DEALT WITH STERN ACTION: MEET HAYER

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 27, 2022

Environment Minister Gurmeet Singh Hayer on Wednesday warned people to face the music for damaging the environment and said that it is the high time to take concrete steps to preserve the natural resources for the future generations.

          “Environment maintenance is a mutual responsibility of all of us. It is also our duty to preserve natural resources and a clean environment for future generations,” said Hayer while chairing a meeting regarding the Punjab Plastic Waste Management Society at the Punjab Pollution Control Board here.

          Meet Hayer said that the state government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is committed to industrial development for the progress of Punjab but at the same time there will be no compromise in the matter of damaging the environment. He said that the state government has adopted a zero tolerance against drugs and pollution.

          The Minister advised the society to rope in more and more companies in their society and to make it a financially sound model. Massive awareness is required among the public so as to make it a public movement, only then the mission of the Chief Minister Mann, Punjab to make the state “Green Punjab” will be achieved.

          Meet Hayer assured industrialists of fulsome support and cooperation from the state government so that this quintessential threat to human existence can be checked. Leading from the front to tackle this serious issue, the Minister offered the board members that he will take part in their cleanliness drives if they take initiative anywhere in the state.

          He said that they have got a clean environment from our forefathers but in the last 20-25 years the problem of pollution has exacerbated, therefore, it is high time that people must take responsibility to preserve the environment for the coming generations.

          Earlier, the Minister was briefed about the working of the society conceptualized by the Board about 5 years back and that it is one of its kind initiatives in entire country for collection and disposal of multi-layered plastic The society presented the Minister with products such as pen-holder, bird nest, board and others made out of plastic waste as well as other alternatives to the plastic like jute and cloth bags.

          The Minister lauded the efforts made by the Board for control of plastic pollution in the State. He exhorted the Board as well as society to enhance their activities regarding MLP throughout Punjab as well as include other plastic waste collection in their scope.

          He emphasised that it is one of the main promises of the State government to provide a clean environment to the public as well as our future generations.

          The officers of the Board as well as office bearers of the society assured the Minister that all out efforts shall be made to fulfil the expectations of the Government.

          Chairman of Punjab Pollution Control Board Dr Adarsh Pal Vig, while appreciating the personal involvement of the Environment Minister, said that environmental protection is a significant aspect.

          Board Member Secretary Engineer Karunesh Garg welcomed everyone and shared the agenda of the meeting. Representatives of industries and members of the society were also present in the meeting.

State Government all set to provide single window approvals for setting up industry in Punjab: Anmol Gagan Mann

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 25, 2022

The Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has issued directions to formulate transparent and hassle free investment policy to attract investors in order to make ‘Rangla Punjab’. This was stated by the Punjab Cabinet Minister Anmol Gagan Mann who today held a meeting in this regard with the officials of Invest Punjab Department. She gave clear cut instructions to implement the directions issued by the Chief Minister without any delay so that maximum investment can come in the state to ensure prosperity and overall development.

Anmol Gagan Mann asked the officials to ensure all approvals to the investors without any delay hassle. She said that the State Government is committed to make Punjab a leading state in the industrial sector and as part of the process, has created a mechanism where all approvals would be given through a single window for setting up industries in the state. The Minister also said that investors willing to invest in Punjab could apply online for approvals which would be given at the earliest.

The cabinet minister said that this is a common people’s government in which there is zero tolerance to corruption and if any officer or employee is found indulging in such malpractices, stringent action would be taken against them.

Prominent amongst others present in the meeting included senior officers of the Invest Punjab Department.

Chief Minister congratulates Neeraj Chopra for winning silver medal in World Athletics Championships

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 24, 2022

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal has congratulated golden boy Neeraj Chopra for creating history by winning a silver medal at the World Athletics Championships. He said that Neeraj Chopra of Haryana is the pride of the country. He has become the first male player from India to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships. Sh. Manohar Lal said that Neeraj Chopra has once again brought laurels to the country and Haryana.  The Chief Minister spoke to Neeraj’s uncle Bhim Chopra and congratulated him.

Goal to make Haryana a sports hub

        The Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that our aim is to make Haryana a sports hub.  For this, promising players like Neeraj Chopra will work to inspire the younger generation. The Chief Minister said that it is because of youth like Neeraj Chopra that Haryana’s flag is waving high in sports at the world level.  The Chief Minister said that today we have taken a step forward in the world of sports.  The policies of the state government and the performance of the players of Haryana are being discussed all over the world.  Haryana gives its sportspersons the highest number of awards and facilities in the country for winning medals in Commonwealth, Asiad and Olympics.

        He said that the Haryana Government has formulated ‘Haryana Outstanding Sportspersons Rules-2018’ to ensure secure employment for the outstanding sportspersons.  For them 550 new posts have been created in the sports department.  Apart from this, 156 sportspersons have been given government jobs till May 7, 2022.

        Provision for reservation has been made for sportspersons in direct recruitment to posts from class one to class four. The honorarium of sportspersons who won Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand awards has been increased from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 20,000 per month.  Amounts of Rs. 20,000  per month are being given to Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award winners and Rs. 5,000 per month to Bhim Award winners.

10 day boarding and 8 residential academies started to train players

The Chief Minister said that Haryana Government is working continuously for promotion of sports in Haryana and for all round development of sportspersons.  As a result, the sons and daughters of the state making the nation and state proud.  In this series, now the Sports and Youth Affairs Department has started 10 day-boarding and 8 residential academies to train the players.  All the trainees of these academies will be given diet at the rate of Rs. 400 per day per player.

Haryana is the power house of sports in the country

        At present Haryana is the sports powerhouse of the country.  The performance of our sportspersons in the Olympics and Paralympics – 2021 is a living example of how Haryana is emerging as a pioneer for other states in the field of sports.  In addition, Haryana recently hosted the Khelo India Youth Games – 2021 in which players from Haryana won the maximum number of medals.  Players and coaches from all over the country experienced the sports culture of Haryana closely and learned how the soil of Haryana is spewing gold not only in agriculture but also in sports.

Mohali Industrial Economic Zone on BTR a boon for pharma industry

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 24, 2022

Mohali Industrial Economic Zone (MIEZ) coming up on the Banur-Tepla Road (BTR) spread over 250 acres of land, will be the first of its kind planned industrial park of the region. Its best-in-class infrastructure, connectivity to the international airport, National Highways, skilled workforce, easy access to vendors and storage facilities make MIEZ BTR an ideal destination for pharmaceutical players.

“MIEZ-BTR has the connectivity advantage. Its proximity to Mohali and Chandigarh also addresses the concern of skilled workforce while semiskilled workers will have the advantage of affordable and quality life in and around Banur. Tax exemptions and other benefits from the Government of Punjab will be another boon for MIEZ BTR,” said Neenu Mittal,  Forgo Pharmaceuticals, Baddi.

While Baddi in Himachal Pradesh located near Chandigarh is known for being a hub for pharma big wigs, the upcoming option in the form of MIEZ -BTR could become a centre of attraction for those interested in putting up their pharma units in the economic zone.

“The major issues which pharma players face, in particular those falling in MSME category, are the problems related to receiving and storing raw materials, shrinking manufacturing process areas, locational constraints of quality control section, problems of storing finished and rejected drugs etc. Most of them do not have enough space for offices.  Pharma MSMEs’ need a one point solution to every issue related to the pharma industry,” said Vaneet Jain of Ultratech Pharmaceuticals, Baddi.

Piyush Kansal, a Director with Royale Estate Group(REG), promoter of MIEZ BTR, while talking about the benefits of establishing an enterprise in the planned Industrial zone said, “Pharmaceutical industries will get  a resolution to all issues they face. We will have smooth systems of receiving raw materials and adequate storage for these, elaborate manufacturing process areas, quality control mechanisms etc. MIEZ will provide all these aspects.”

Neeraj Kansal, MD, REG SAID , “MIEZ BTR is going to be a state-of-the-art industrial park. It is much suitable for the pharmaceutical cluster. The site of the park is just 21 kms away from the International Airport Mohali and in the vicinity of Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC). The Industrial Park is powered by wide roads, efficient power supply, common effluent treatment, solid waste management, business and exhibition centre, R&D centre etc.”

“It is true that Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) enjoys the sobriquet of being Asia’s biggest pharmaceutical hub, however Punjab government is making concerted efforts to promote Mohali as a pharma destination. To attract key players, the state government is coming up with a new industrial policy, looking forward to continuing a lot of incentives and exemptions. Infrastructure facilities like MIEZ BTR will certainly attract pharma investors,” added Ashwani Mehta of Asterisk Health Care, Una.

 Ashish Mittal, also a Director with REG said, “With the growth potential and in a competitive ecosystem, around 115 pharmaceutical companies are already in Mohali and its periphery. An investor under the Invest Punjab will have the advantage of 100 per cent exemption of stamp duty, 100 per cent exemption of electricity duty for seven years, and 100 per cent exemption from property tax. There will be an investment subsidy too.”

 Punjab has several bulk drug manufacturers of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and Key Starting Materials (KSMs). Several pharma players such as Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries, DSM, Ind-Swift, Nectar Lifesciences and some other formulation units have established their base in Mohali. Affordable facility and regulatory ease will make an infra hub like MIEZ BTR a bright spot for pharma players.